Gouffre Mirolda, Deep cave system in Samoëns, France
Gouffre Mirolda is a large cave system in the Haut-Giffre mountains near Samoëns with multiple underground levels extending deep below the surface. It has seven different entrances, with the highest situated at about 2330 meters in elevation.
A shepherd named Marc Degrinis discovered the entrance to this natural cave formation in 1971. Decades of systematic exploration by cave researchers followed, gradually revealing the extent of the underground system.
The name honors Michel Roland and Daniel Chenevier, two cave explorers who died during a flood in 1976. Their memory remains tied to this place, reminding visitors of the risks involved in underground exploration.
Access to different levels of the system varies in difficulty, and some parts require diving skills. Visitors should bring warm clothing and prepare for wet, cool conditions underground.
In 2003, explorers reached a terminal sump through diving, placing it among the world's deepest explored cave systems. This achievement marked an important milestone in underground diving research.
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